Arrive Shannon Airport and on to Galway City The Cliffs of Moher, Doolin & The Burren Sligo & Donegal Derry City Creevykeel, Ceide Fields & Westport Clare Island & Westport Connemara National Park & Bunratty Shannon Airport & Home
'A fantastic trip! ...especially want to thank Allen and Liam for their camaraderie, guidance, knowledge, and good humor throughout.' - Gene & Kathy Schneider, Austin TX
Our distinctive “Spirit of Ireland Pub Tour” is immersion into traditional West Country Ireland. Allen 'Paddy' Tatman, your personal guide, takes you deep into the Spirit of Ireland.
On this custom tour, you’ll journey through some of the most beautiful, and mysterious, scenery in Ireland. One of your best discoveries may be Allen himself! With stops at must-see places, as well as those that are off-the-beaten path, Allen will entertain and inspire you with stories, songs, and lively discussions about the Irish people’s past, future and their continuing passion about all things Irish.
When evening rolls around, the joy of Ireland continues. Irish music awaits and all of it is authentic. To top it off, we’ve arranged a few traditional music sessions specifically for your group.
Nightlife includes an exceptional evening of Irish music, food and dance at the Corn Barn behind Bunratty Castle. “Traditional Irish Night” is an event to be savored and remembered! The festivities also include Galway and Doolin as you’ve dreamed it: The best local pubs and the finest music. During the day you’ll experience the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Polnabrone Dolmen, a visit to Gus O’ Connor’s infamous pub, and plenty of time to unwind or explore.
Get ready for boisterous good times, mysterious sites, and fine music. Allen’s stories will leave you laughing or pondering the wonders. All are at their height in the west, the spirit of Ireland.
The Spirit of Ireland Tour is limited to 30 passengers, the perfect size for an intimate experience. The coach is luxuriously appointed and quite posh. As with all of Allen's guided tours, places are filling fast!
Please note there is currently only one date available for this tour: June 8th to 15th, 2011.
The Spirit of Ireland Pub Tour includes:
An extremely knowledgeable, friendly and passionate guide in the form of Allen 'Paddy' Tatman.
An expert driver - Liam Bourke, a very friendly man from Limerick, who knows the back roads like no other!
7 night's accommodation at the most authentic and welcoming properties available on your itinerary.
7 full days of chauffeured and guided touring
A sumptuous touring vehicle, complete with leather Captain's seats and tables, a PA, CD & DVD system, drinks cooler and much, much more. The bus also offers Wi-Fi connectivity (subject to regional availability)
You will be met at Shannon Airport by Allen, and transferred back to Shannon for departure.
Group welcome dinner at the Park House Hotel on your first night in Ireland
Full Irish Breakfast each morning
An exceptional evening of Irish music & dance in Bunratty - 'Traditional Irish Night' is truly an event to be savoured!
Each day will include day trips and tours of Ireland's top sites and attractions.
Ferry trip to Clare Island off Ireland's rugged west coast.
Night time will afford the opportunity to explore local pubs and nightlife. On a number of evenings you will be treated to special traditional Irish music sessions arranged specifically for the tour group
Expert tips and advice from Allen, as well as answers to any questions you may have prior to arriving in Ireland
Online access to all your vacation particulars via our unique customer system – detailed accommodation and regional information, as well as the ability to make secure online tour payments.
About your Nightly Accommodations
The Spirit of Ireland Tour includes overnight stays at truly wonderful and welcoming accommodations. All hotels come hihgly recommended, and perfectly located to explore the sights, sounds and nightlife of Galway, Donegal, Westport & Bunratty. The Spirit of Ireland tour offers true variety, exceptional comfort, and genuine Irish hospitality in abundance. You can view further information and photos of the tour accommodations via the links below.
Join Irish-American historian, writer, and proprietor of Paddy Malone’s Irish Pub, Allen“Paddy” Tatman-Malone, for a fascinating journey through Munster, exploring the history and culture of one of the most beautiful regions of Ireland. As you travel through the scenic countryside and visit the attractions, Allen will entertain you with songs, stories, and extensive discussions about the country that he loves so well.
Allen Tatman-Malone (Ailín Pádraig ÓThaighmahon Maoileóin) is a third generation Irish American, with great-grandparents from Donegal and Kildare, and with additional family lineage going back to Counties Clare, Galway, Derry, Antrim and Dublin. In 2000 Allen took over a 137 year old tavern in where he, along with his uncle, established Paddy Malone's Irish Pub. Allen currently runs Paddy Malone’s with his wife Máire Lí, and they live on the third floor above the pub. Both Allen and Máire Lí have travelled extensively throughout Ireland and have established countless friendships and connections across the Emerald Isle.
A veteran guide of Ireland, Allen has a very simple philosophy; don’t try to do too much, but what you do, do it well:
'It is impossible to see all of Ireland in ten to fourteen days, let alone a week, so I don’t even try,” Allen says. “What I will do is show you one of the best areas of Ireland, where you can take your time and soak it in, all the while giving you a thorough background and history on the places that we visit. My hope is that each and every one of my guests on the tour comes away from Ireland having a rich and fulfilling experience, and not feel as if they were rushed from point to point, without a chance to enjoy their holiday.'
Your Driver - Liam Bourke:
Your driver on the Heart of Ireland tour is Liam Bourke. A native Limerickman, Liam has many, many years of experience touring the roads of Ireland. Liam has previously worked as a driver/guide for official Rick Steves tours, and learned much in the process. No one knows the back roads of Ireland better than Liam - from secret, off-the-beaten-path spots to distinctive local crafts and individuals - in Liam's capable hands you will meet people and experience Ireland in a truly unique way. Allen & Liam have travelled Ireland together on many previous tours, and the excellent rapport and camaraderie they share, greatly adds to the superb atmosphere on board the Heart of Ireland tour bus!
What previous customers had to say about touring with Allen & Liam:
'A fantastic trip! ...especially want to thank Allen and Liam for their camaraderie, guidance, knowledge, and good humor throughout.' Gene & Kathy Schneider, Austin TX
'From the things everyone wants to see in Ireland, to the those only the locals know about, Allen gets you there. He has a deep knowledge of Irish history, an engaging personality, velvet baritone voice and passion for the Emerald Isle.' Dave Dillon, Jefferson City, MO
'Allen's knowledge of the history of Ireland and its people adds a whole new dimension to your trip. It allows you to not only visit all of the beautiful places in Ireland but to experience a bit of its culture.' Andy Fechtel, Providence, RI
'As an American couple, abroad for the first time, Allen's enthusiasm and advice made all the difference between feeling like 'tourists' and being 'welcomed home.' We returned the next year with Allen and had the added local color of Liam as our driver. He was a jewel!.' Michael & Kathleen Gallagher, Chamois, MO
What's the difference between this tour and regular guided bus tours?
You know in advance who your guide and driver are going to be (and they will be 2 separate people – not one driver/guide!)
Not only that, but you will be able to contact your guide and become acquainted/ ask questions – etc. in advance of the tour.
This is a completely unique feature of any guided tour of Ireland – you have the dual support of your agent here at Authentic Ireland, as well as your tour guide.
Unlike regular guided bus tours, your guide does not finish each evening at 5pm. On most evenings, Allen will accompany the group to various pubs/ traditional Irish music sessions/ nightlife venues.
The Spirit of Ireland tour offers much more flexibility than run of the mill bus tours. The group is not herded from one location to the next for fear of not being back at the hotel in time for a set (and boring) 3 course hotel meal.
Why is the tour limited to 30 passengers?
The group size is limited to 30, to allow for a far more intimate and special experience than regular guided bus tours with 40+ passengers.
Because of the smaller group size, it’s possible to accommodate everyone in smaller, more personal accommodations, where the emphasis is on customer service and the genuine Irish welcome and hospitality for which we’re famous. Although other bus tours use good hotels, generally speaking they are much larger and therefore quite impersonal.
Fewer passengers on-board allows us to provide a spacious and luxurious touring vehicle – leather captain’s seats, tables. Normal tour coaches are stock 53 seaters.
Why are evening meals not included every night?
Evening meals are only pre-booked and included in the price on two of the seven tour nights. Although this may initially be seen as a drawback, in our experience the reality is quite the opposite.
People have wildly varying tastes and appetites. While some will want a 3+ course dinner every evening, others will be more than happy with soup and a salad. We save you money by not including the hefty cost of a 3 course meal in the tour price, because we realise that that is not to everyone’s taste.
Instead of meal reservations at your nightly accommodations, Allen will offer a choice of good establishments in the area, so that everyone is catered for and can choose for themselves.
This also gives individuals and couples within the group the opportunity to go and do their own thing for their evening meal. We have found that group members very much appreciate the chance to take a break from the larger group if they so wish.
Will I have to do much walking on the Spirit of Ireland tour?
Yes, this tour does involve some walking - both during the day while sightseeing, and at night while visiting pubs. Although walking distances will be far from excessive, if walking short distances is a problem, then this may not be the tour for you.
Can I arrive in Ireland the day before the tour begins to acclimatize to the new time zone?
Yes, anyone you wishes to arrive in Ireland on June 7th, can be accommodated at the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis at an additional fee. Just let us know when booking the tour, and the arrangements will be made.
What happens if my flight into Shannon on June 8th arrives later than the group transfer from Shannon Airport?
There is only one transfer provided from Shannon Airport to Galway on the morning of June 8th. If your flight arrives into Shannon after 11.00am on June 8th, you will have to pay for your own transfer from Shannon Airport to Galway.You will be provided with Allen’s Irish cell phone number in advance of the trip, and he will assist in making the necessary arrangements.
What happens if my flight home on June 15th leaves Shannon earlier that the group transfer?
There is only one transfer provided from Bunratty to Shannon Airport on the morning of June 15th. If your flight home departs from Shannon before 11.00am on June 15th, you will have to pay for your own transfer from Bunratty to Shannon Airport, although we can certainly help with the arrangements.
Should I purchase Travel Insurance?
To protect against trip cancellation penalties, trip interruptions and delays, emergency medical expenses, lost or delayed baggage, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. We are partnered with Travel Guard International, America's leading travel insurance provider, insuring more than 6 million travelers a year. Policies includes a 24-hour travel emergency service to help you should any problems arise.
Dates & Prices
The price listed below is per person and based on two sharing a double room. A US$500.00 per person deposit secures your place on the tour. The exclusive Soul of Ireland pub tour begins in Shannon June 8th, 2011. Spaces are limited!
A US$500.00 per person deposit is required to secure your place on the exclusive Spirit of Ireland Tour.
To make a booking over the phone, please call us on the relevant number listed below. Alternately, please complete the inquiry form below and we will send you all tour details via email. Once you have received the email you will have the option of booking the tour directly online, via our secure payment portal.
**Please note that the exclusive Spirit of Ireland Guided Pub tour only happens once in 2011 and begins in Shannon on June 8.**
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